Hello both, and a heartfelt thanks for your consistently insightful analysis and commentary.
Sorry for the lengthly post but I found myself quite taken aback by Chris' remarks, attempting to portray the Gaza conflict as no different from other current global conflicts and felt compelled to comment. It's surprising that some obvious unique aspects of this conflict that, in my opinion, justify heightened media and public attention were so easily overlooked.
While I don't claim to have an in-depth understanding of Middle Eastern affairs, it's clear to me – and presumably to many – that several key factors distinctly set this conflict apart, meriting its extensive coverage. Here's a non-exhaustive list of considerations that, alone or combined, justify its significant presence in the media and in the public mind:
Widespread Public Protests:
Across many Western nations, we're witnessing large-scale protests supporting both sides of this conflict. These demonstrations reflect the deep emotions that diverse groups, including Jewish, Muslim, and secular communities, harbour towards the situation. This phenomenon is evident in countries like the UK, the US, France, Switzerland and Ireland, (countries that I'm most familiar with) underscoring the conflict's broad media appeal.
The Threat of Genocide:
The International Court of Justice has highlighted the potential for genocide in Gaza by Israel. This alarming designation is unique to this conflict and alone warrants headlines and street protests. Don't you agree?
A Dire Humanitarian Crisis:
Leading humanitarian organisations, including the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the United Nations amongst others, have sounded the alarm on the dire situation in Gaza, with many describing it as the worst humanitarian crisis they've ever encountered. Tragically, these agencies have sometimes found themselves in the line of fire. Antony Blinken himself has starkly highlighted the gravity of the crisis, noting, "100 percent of the population in Gaza is at severe levels of acute food insecurity." This marks a first in history, where an entire population is facing such extreme hardship, affecting hundred of thousands of children, the elderly, and the sick. It's crucial to understand that this crisis isn't a byproduct of war but the outcome of political decisions—decisions that could be reversed almost instantly. This situation surely calls for an unprecedented level of public outcry and media attention. The power of global public opinion could be pivotal in bringing about change. Surely, it's a cause worth rallying for, isn't it?
More Than Just a Conflict in the Public Eye:
Why does this conflict stir so much public engagement? The answer varies depending on the perspective. For Israelis, the reasons are clear. Israel stands as the world's only Jewish state, facing severe threats like the devastating attacks on October 7th. It's natural, then, that large crowds would rally in solidarity. On the flip side, there's a profound sense of empathy for the Palestinians, whose struggles have been ongoing since the establishment of Israel, marked by the expropriation and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This longstanding conflict has not only persisted for decades but has also drawn clear lines of division in global opinion. It's this deep historical context and the very human stories behind the headlines that capture the world's attention, making it far more than just another geopolitical dispute.
Significant Engagement from Western Leaders:
There's been notable involvement from leaders in the West regarding this conflict, demonstrating a depth of interest that's hard to overlook. Many have shown their allegiance, either through vocal support or by visiting Israel to stand in solidarity. Particularly in the United States, the commitment has extended beyond words to significant financial and military backing. This includes the provision of missile systems, arms, ammunition, marine support, and even the deployment of one or two aircraft carriers, culminating in aid worth billions of dollars. When such leaders deem a matter to be of paramount importance, it merits our undivided attention. The reasons behind their vested interest might be varied, but the consensus on its significance is crystal clear and not replicated in other conflicts apart for Ukraine.
The Risk of Wider Escalation:
The geopolitical landscape surrounding this conflict reveals a striking division, with nations worldwide picking sides, many wielding considerable influence. History has shown us the real possibility of regional flare-ups, but now there's an even more concerning prospect: the potential for these tensions to ripple across the globe. It's precisely this threat that has prompted the United States to significantly bolster its Marine presence in the area. Such a move underscores the seriousness of the situation, highlighting why this conflict, along with a select few others like Ukraine, demands the spotlight in media coverage.
To summarise, the risk of genocide, the imposed famine, significant involvement by Western countries, the possibility of geopolitical escalation, and the historical polarisation thoroughly justify the extensive coverage and public impact this conflict is receiving. This is without even touching upon the aspects of a propaganda war and other factors contributing to its prominence in the news.
Every conflict is tragic and deserves reporting and, where necessary, condemnation. However, given the limited nature of airtime and public attention, not all can be covered equally. Given these stark facts, still prevalent in the news, I'm genuinely surprised at the view that this conflict doesn't merit the attention it's receiving. This is especially true considering that international public attention might be the only avenue to resolution or, at the very least, a temporary pause.
On a more mundane note, 2022 saw the birth of slightly over 60,000 babies in Ireland. Investing a modest €5,000 annually per baby would amount to a mere €300 million a year. Considering Ireland's current economic surpluses, this investment is relatively small but could significantly enhance the nation's overall well-being after 30 years. Also, if this investment were tax-exempt when channelled into SMEs or startups—instead of being spent on housing—it could greatly encourage entrepreneurship. This approach could generate a substantial fund of nearly €1.3 billion for the same group of children alone, showcasing the remarkable potential of compound interest. What a great idea!
Forgetting the requirements, do you know how much it costs for a British/Irish citizen to get their married or unmarried EU partner into the UK?
Application fee: £1846
NHS fee: £3105
Priority fee (if you want it done in any reasonable time): £500
Lawyer fees: ~£1500
For a total of £6951. Unless you can keep almost £90k cash liquid in an account for 6 months, you'll need to move to the UK ahead of your spouse and get a job, without any guarantee they'll be approved, and they may not enter the UK even for tourism to visit you until the application is complete, up to 6 months.
Surely the differences between the war in Sudan and those in Gaza and Ukraine are obvious - Gaza has a tiny population which is being punished mercilessly (admittedly for heinous crimes of a terrorist faction) at the hands of a highly unequal country with the implicit backing of the US superpower, among others. We all get to watch on as Palestinian people are being systematically crushed while we try to work out what our correct stance/allegiances on this should be.
Imagine if the response of the UK government to IRA atrocities had been similar and the US had provided all the necessary assistance, both financial and military, to extirpate the terrorists, with the local population bearing the brunt even to the point of mass deaths and starvation.
This is hardly equivalent to a civil war in Sudan, no matter how brutal. And civil wars are always brutal.
Russia of course is invading a sovereign country purely because its leader has notions and this is causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and is testing international relations on a global scale.
All deaths from war are awful, but some wars have potential to cause more widespread and greater harm.
it seems there’s no centre right force in Irish politics anymore unless you count FF, where are these voters to go? If only Leo had delivered for workers & dealt w law & order his party might be in a better place.
There was also no mass protests by the left in the last decade on Syria with much greater death toll or by Muslim world in relation to mass imprisonment of 1m in China. Might be different if the Jews were responsible!
Re the wars … Jim is correct is stating that it’s the media attention that provides the focus.
Sudan has no champion, thus is totally forgotten 😢
Liked the idea of giving every newborn the investment to cash at 30!!
Maybe Simon Harris could do something when Hes Taoiseach !!
Hello both, and a heartfelt thanks for your consistently insightful analysis and commentary.
Sorry for the lengthly post but I found myself quite taken aback by Chris' remarks, attempting to portray the Gaza conflict as no different from other current global conflicts and felt compelled to comment. It's surprising that some obvious unique aspects of this conflict that, in my opinion, justify heightened media and public attention were so easily overlooked.
While I don't claim to have an in-depth understanding of Middle Eastern affairs, it's clear to me – and presumably to many – that several key factors distinctly set this conflict apart, meriting its extensive coverage. Here's a non-exhaustive list of considerations that, alone or combined, justify its significant presence in the media and in the public mind:
Widespread Public Protests:
Across many Western nations, we're witnessing large-scale protests supporting both sides of this conflict. These demonstrations reflect the deep emotions that diverse groups, including Jewish, Muslim, and secular communities, harbour towards the situation. This phenomenon is evident in countries like the UK, the US, France, Switzerland and Ireland, (countries that I'm most familiar with) underscoring the conflict's broad media appeal.
The Threat of Genocide:
The International Court of Justice has highlighted the potential for genocide in Gaza by Israel. This alarming designation is unique to this conflict and alone warrants headlines and street protests. Don't you agree?
A Dire Humanitarian Crisis:
Leading humanitarian organisations, including the Red Cross, Médecins Sans Frontières, and the United Nations amongst others, have sounded the alarm on the dire situation in Gaza, with many describing it as the worst humanitarian crisis they've ever encountered. Tragically, these agencies have sometimes found themselves in the line of fire. Antony Blinken himself has starkly highlighted the gravity of the crisis, noting, "100 percent of the population in Gaza is at severe levels of acute food insecurity." This marks a first in history, where an entire population is facing such extreme hardship, affecting hundred of thousands of children, the elderly, and the sick. It's crucial to understand that this crisis isn't a byproduct of war but the outcome of political decisions—decisions that could be reversed almost instantly. This situation surely calls for an unprecedented level of public outcry and media attention. The power of global public opinion could be pivotal in bringing about change. Surely, it's a cause worth rallying for, isn't it?
More Than Just a Conflict in the Public Eye:
Why does this conflict stir so much public engagement? The answer varies depending on the perspective. For Israelis, the reasons are clear. Israel stands as the world's only Jewish state, facing severe threats like the devastating attacks on October 7th. It's natural, then, that large crowds would rally in solidarity. On the flip side, there's a profound sense of empathy for the Palestinians, whose struggles have been ongoing since the establishment of Israel, marked by the expropriation and displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. This longstanding conflict has not only persisted for decades but has also drawn clear lines of division in global opinion. It's this deep historical context and the very human stories behind the headlines that capture the world's attention, making it far more than just another geopolitical dispute.
Significant Engagement from Western Leaders:
There's been notable involvement from leaders in the West regarding this conflict, demonstrating a depth of interest that's hard to overlook. Many have shown their allegiance, either through vocal support or by visiting Israel to stand in solidarity. Particularly in the United States, the commitment has extended beyond words to significant financial and military backing. This includes the provision of missile systems, arms, ammunition, marine support, and even the deployment of one or two aircraft carriers, culminating in aid worth billions of dollars. When such leaders deem a matter to be of paramount importance, it merits our undivided attention. The reasons behind their vested interest might be varied, but the consensus on its significance is crystal clear and not replicated in other conflicts apart for Ukraine.
The Risk of Wider Escalation:
The geopolitical landscape surrounding this conflict reveals a striking division, with nations worldwide picking sides, many wielding considerable influence. History has shown us the real possibility of regional flare-ups, but now there's an even more concerning prospect: the potential for these tensions to ripple across the globe. It's precisely this threat that has prompted the United States to significantly bolster its Marine presence in the area. Such a move underscores the seriousness of the situation, highlighting why this conflict, along with a select few others like Ukraine, demands the spotlight in media coverage.
To summarise, the risk of genocide, the imposed famine, significant involvement by Western countries, the possibility of geopolitical escalation, and the historical polarisation thoroughly justify the extensive coverage and public impact this conflict is receiving. This is without even touching upon the aspects of a propaganda war and other factors contributing to its prominence in the news.
Every conflict is tragic and deserves reporting and, where necessary, condemnation. However, given the limited nature of airtime and public attention, not all can be covered equally. Given these stark facts, still prevalent in the news, I'm genuinely surprised at the view that this conflict doesn't merit the attention it's receiving. This is especially true considering that international public attention might be the only avenue to resolution or, at the very least, a temporary pause.
On a more mundane note, 2022 saw the birth of slightly over 60,000 babies in Ireland. Investing a modest €5,000 annually per baby would amount to a mere €300 million a year. Considering Ireland's current economic surpluses, this investment is relatively small but could significantly enhance the nation's overall well-being after 30 years. Also, if this investment were tax-exempt when channelled into SMEs or startups—instead of being spent on housing—it could greatly encourage entrepreneurship. This approach could generate a substantial fund of nearly €1.3 billion for the same group of children alone, showcasing the remarkable potential of compound interest. What a great idea!
Forgetting the requirements, do you know how much it costs for a British/Irish citizen to get their married or unmarried EU partner into the UK?
Application fee: £1846
NHS fee: £3105
Priority fee (if you want it done in any reasonable time): £500
Lawyer fees: ~£1500
For a total of £6951. Unless you can keep almost £90k cash liquid in an account for 6 months, you'll need to move to the UK ahead of your spouse and get a job, without any guarantee they'll be approved, and they may not enter the UK even for tourism to visit you until the application is complete, up to 6 months.
So wish us luck in the Dublin rental market...
Surely the differences between the war in Sudan and those in Gaza and Ukraine are obvious - Gaza has a tiny population which is being punished mercilessly (admittedly for heinous crimes of a terrorist faction) at the hands of a highly unequal country with the implicit backing of the US superpower, among others. We all get to watch on as Palestinian people are being systematically crushed while we try to work out what our correct stance/allegiances on this should be.
Imagine if the response of the UK government to IRA atrocities had been similar and the US had provided all the necessary assistance, both financial and military, to extirpate the terrorists, with the local population bearing the brunt even to the point of mass deaths and starvation.
This is hardly equivalent to a civil war in Sudan, no matter how brutal. And civil wars are always brutal.
Russia of course is invading a sovereign country purely because its leader has notions and this is causing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and is testing international relations on a global scale.
All deaths from war are awful, but some wars have potential to cause more widespread and greater harm.
Just in relation to Fine Gael’s problems,
it seems there’s no centre right force in Irish politics anymore unless you count FF, where are these voters to go? If only Leo had delivered for workers & dealt w law & order his party might be in a better place.
There was also no mass protests by the left in the last decade on Syria with much greater death toll or by Muslim world in relation to mass imprisonment of 1m in China. Might be different if the Jews were responsible!